Cheyney University News December 19, 2014 Letter from the Office of the President Office of the President Cheyney University of Pennsylvania 1837 University Circle P.O. Box 200 Cheyney, PA 19319-0200 Office (610)-399-2220 Fax (610) 399-2415 Dear Students, Families and Alumni: As you are aware, Cheyney University recently received an audit report from the Auditor General that assessed the university's financial position. This is the most recent announcement of something we have known for some time. Like many universities, Cheyney University has been challenged by limited financial resources and, for several years, the source of our funds has been declining. Cheyney University has always been a small institution, and because of reductions in state funding, we are almost totally tuition-driven. We have largely relied on a combination of state and tuition support for the university 's financial resources. We certainly understand the importance of Cheyney University as the nation's first HBCU. Having empowered thousands of students to become distinguished and highly productive citizens, we are committed to doing whatever is necessary to continue Cheyney's rich history of access and academic excellence. Despite an announcement about the university's financial plight, the projected demise of Cheyney University is totally premature. Even with the challenges facing the university and many other higher education institutions, Cheyney University will continue to thrive. With our current plans and support from various sources, including support from the Office of the Chancellor, the university Council of Trustees, alumni and many others, we expect that Cheyney's future will be unlimited. Only a few weeks ago, Cheyney was reaccredited for ten years by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Universities. This confirms the quality of our curriculum, the strength of our faculty, and the quality of our students. Now we are very busy developing a plan for the sustainability of Cheyney University which will focus clearly on our needs in the areas of finance, facilities, academic programs, enrollment, student services, and university fundraising. This will be led by a Task Force on the Sustainability of Cheyney. As we said to all students when they departed for the holiday season, enjoy the time away from the university with the people you love and return to us ready for an excellent spring term. Every student is encouraged to make sure that everything that needs to be in place for a successful spring term is in place as soon as possible. Some of the things that a student needs to take care of include: meeting with your advisor and registering for the spring semester, making sure that you have completed all requirements for financial aid or scholarships, gathering information about and applying for internships, completing the clearance process, submitting a Student Information Sheet (Bursar Clearance) online and applying for your book voucher, completing the online housing request if you plan to live on campus, applying for a study abroad program, submitting anticipation for graduation forms, studying for graduate school entry exams, and researching and applying for graduate school. Upon your return in the spring, we will have a Spring Convocation at the university where we will announce further plans for the future of this great institution. Until then, please relax and enjoy this wonderful holiday season. THE OLDEST HBCU IN THE UNITED STATES WILL CONTINUE TO STRIVE FOR AT LEAST ANOTHER ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-SEVEN YEARS! Sincerely, Frank W. Pogue, Ph.D. Interim President SANDRA M. PHOENIX Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 800-999-8558, ext. 4820 404-702-5854 Skype: sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree NW Suite 200 Atlanta,GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (LYRASIS) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children.